AAC PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Connecting the Fowler legacy to the award

If you haven’t already registered to attend the AAC’s 55th Annual Conference in August, I encourage you to do so. It is a great avenue for getting better acquainted with your fellow county and district officials — and for learning more about issues that affect county government.

Some aspects of conference have become tradition —the Southern Fish Fry, the Dinner and Dance, the closing of conference with “You are My Sunshine” — just to name a few. A more recent tradition is the presentation of the Wes Fowler County Advocacy Award. And in this column, I would like to focus on who Wes was and the legacy he left behind.

I regret that many of you never had a chance to meet and work with Wes. He was a well-respected member of county government. He truly had a heart for service.

Wes was working as a consultant with the AAC when he passed away on Feb.1, 2017. He spent that day at the state Capitol advocating for legislation that would benefit county clerks, as well as funding for new voting equipment. Wes had great expertise in the area, as he had served as Madison County Clerk for 10 years beginning in 1989.

Wes was an active participant in the Arkansas Association of County Clerks. He served as legislative chair and in officer positions. He was set to become president of the association when he was elected Madison County Judge in 1998.

Again, he was active in the judges’ association, serving as legislative chair, second and first vice president, and president. Wes sat on the AAC Board of Directors and was an active Legislative Committee Chairman.

Wes retired as county judge in 2010, but his service to county government did not stop there. He went to work as Governmental Affairs Director at the AAC, a position he held for four years. Wes was a failure at retirement. County government just coursed through his veins, and in 2014 he became a consultant to the AAC.

Wes did not have a law degree, but he knew state law frontwards and backwards. It was not unlike him to sit in a legislative committee meeting at the Capitol and whisper to the person sitting next to him the answers to questions legislators were asking.

Wes was respected by county and state officials alike. Following his death, then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson wrote to the Fowler family: “Wes’ willingness to serve the people of Arkansas was remarkable, and he did so with honor and integrity.

“He was a leader in developing and improving systems of Arkansas government during his service as county clerk, county judge and through his tenure with the AAC. Wes was an extraordinary man who was above all a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.”

And so, with the Wes Fowler County Advocacy Award, the AAC honors a county or district official who exemplifies Wes’ dedication, honor, and integrity. I hope you will join me at the conference in August to celebrate Wes’ life and the award recipient’s service.

Debbie Wise

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